Secret Siam

Remembering the disappeared

My friend Wanchalearm Satsaksit was kidnapped and probably murdered in Cambodia. This is the story of what happened to him, and the nine other…

Feb 16 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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How to get away with mass murder in Thailand

The story of Cathay Pacific flight CX700Z

Feb 12 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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"I could kill you, too"

The truth about the death of King Ananda Mahidol

Feb 9 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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Gazelles and butterflies

The valedictory despatch of Sir Anthony Rumbold, after two years as British ambassador in Bangkok, that infuriated the Thais 42 years later

Feb 3 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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January 2026

Shooting the Soul of a Nation

The story of how Thailand's royals managed to get the BBC to broadcast a palace propaganda film — and why it's still the most remarkable and revealing…

Jan 28 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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The strange story of why King Vajiralongkorn has a Boeing 737 as a garden ornament

Thailand's monarch is constructing a vast palace complex in Bangkok, with nobody to restrain his grandiose plans. The tale of an airliner decorating the…

Jan 19 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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An overview of declassified CIA cables on Thailand

Insights on King Bhumibol's marriage, his political interventions and distaste for democracy, and the erratic behaviour of Vajiralongkorn

Jan 10 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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Bangkok stinks

Sir Arthur de la Mare's valedictory despatch on the "indolent ... feckless ... vain ... charming ... irritating ... frustrating and endearing" people of…

Jan 5 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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August 2025

Welcome to Rancho Charnvee

A journey into the world of Thailand's troubled minister of public health

Aug 7, 2025 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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October 2024

Holy harem

The increasingly erratic King Vajiralongkorn is mobilising his squadron of skydiving sex soldiers to spread his doodles sharing Buddhist wisdom…

Oct 14, 2024 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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Disaster porn

Any time there is a catastrophe or crisis in Thailand, politicians and celebrities circle like vultures, hungry to show the kingdom how kind and caring…

Oct 10, 2024 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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August 2024

Pretty in pink

Thailand's king has fallen head over heels with a new woman. Again.

Aug 29, 2024 • Andrew MacGregor Marshall

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